Barbara Leah Stine Bell

Two days before Christmas 1935, Virgil and Emma Stine received a cherished Christmas gift into their lives when Barbara Leah was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In a few years they had moved to Walters, Oklahoma where they ran a cafe for most of Barbara’s early years. Barbara had many great memories of those years in Walters working at the cafe, going to school and spending time with cousins who lived there.

The Stines then moved to Velma, Oklahoma when Barbara was a high school junior. She developed many long lasting friendships and her love for music during her short time in Velma. She graduated in 1954 having been a member of student council, band council, the high school band, the Mixed Chorus, Girls Glee Club and had also been selected as Music Queen in her senior year.

She continued her love for music as she also strengthened her faith at Oklahoma Baptist University. College was where she made many more long-lasting friendships with fellow musicians, music educators and fellow students and is also where she first met Bruce Bell though they did not court till after college. She was a pioneering member of the Music Educators club which had just been started during her senior year. She was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota (a women's organization for music educators) and a proud member of the Bisonettes glee club.

Barbara graduated in 1958 and began teaching music in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She and Bruce reconnected at Falls Creek campground before he left for Basic training. She agreed to let Bruce write to her while he was in the service. When Bruce returned to Oklahoma and they began courting she moved to Oklahoma City to be near him and teach in the Putnam City school district. She and Bruce married June 4, 1960.

The next few years were a busy time of medical school, marriage and starting their own family. Belinda, Brian, Brandon, Barry, and Becky were born over the next ten years. As the family grew Barbara's love for music was strengthened by her devotion to God and she passed that love and devotion onto her children.

She blessed many people with her singing in the Singing Churchwomen of Oklahoma both here and throughout the world. She was a big part of the music program at Trinity Baptist Church where she was a member for more than 50 years. Her beautiful voice praised God each Sunday whether she was singing a solo or with the choir. She also led the children’s and the senior citizen choirs for many years. Her voice will live on through those she touched and through her children who have carried on her love for music.

She is survived by her husband, her children, eleven grandchildren, and her brother, David.

Visitation will be 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m., Thursday and Friday at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper, with family to greet friends, Friday from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. Interment will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Rose Hill Burial Park with Memorial Services following at 11:00a.m., Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Trinity Baptist Church Oklahoma City. Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.